Feeder device stand, in particular for packaging lines

ABSTRACT

A feeder device stand ( 10 ), in particular for a packaging line ( 1 ) incorporating it, of the kind suitable for keeping the feeder device ( 50 ) in the requested position with respect to the packaging line ( 1 ), allows a precise positioning of the device with respect to the line, adaptable according to the insert to be fed, and includes: a pedestal ( 11 ) provided with an engaging projection ( 12 ) apt to be introduced below the body ( 5 ) of the packaging line ( 1 ); blocking element ( 13, 14, 20 ) for arranging the pedestal ( 11 ) in a fixed position with respect to the packaging line ( 1 ); a saddle ( 30 ), positioned at the top of the pedestal ( 11 ), arranged to be translated, with respect to the pedestal ( 11 ), across the packaging line ( 1 ); a pivoting table ( 40 ), mounted on the saddle ( 30 ), on which a support base ( 41 ) for the feeder device ( 50 ) is formed; and element for positioning the support base ( 41 ) with respect to the packaging line ( 1 ).

The present invention is related to a stand for a feeder device, inparticular for a packaging line incorporating it, of the kind suitablefor keeping the feeder device in the requested position with respect tothe line.

Typically, along a continuously operated packaging line, feeders ofvarious kind are arranged, placing in a stack elements to be packaged,e.g. by a film of cellophane or by another thermosealable film, or inunwound paper as well, possibly provided with a thermosealable film orwith a layer of adhesive resin, according to a procedure known as flowpack.

Exemplary elements to be packaged in this way are magazines, newspapers,flattened parcels and others, to which inserts are associated, made of asingle sheet or of a booklet having a closed margin or a binder, e.g.formed by creasing line or y an envelope. In general, in the followingsaid inserts will be referred as sheet-shaped single products.

They may be represented for instance by magazines separately sold oreven sold in association thereamong, provided to the packaging linesthrough said feeder device, and inserts of various kind (promotional,advertising etc.) packaged together with said magazines.

The feeder device, adapted for discrete elements like parcels,magazines, newspapers etc, or for substantially single products likesingle or folded sheets, envelopes, bound inserts or the like, areusually provided with a own motor, obviously to be synchronised with themotion of the packaging line.

Further, they are not integrated in a single packaging line, but theyshould be available to be added or removed according to contingent needsand, for this reason, the motors thereof have to be on board.

Hence, it is understood that the same feeder device should be able tofeed inserts of different sizes along the line, and possibly providedwith different orientations with respect to the line. However, even withthe variation of these parameters, the feeder must deliver the insertprecisely centred on the packaging line leading to the wrapping station.

This problem is particularly felt when the feeder device is providedwith means for pivoting the insert, e.g. of 90°. A common problem isthat such means does not safely succeed to pivot the insert of acomplete right angle, but of a portion thereof. Further, the variationof such rotation angle may modify the feeding position of the feederdevice itself.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide astand of a feeder device obviating the drawbacks referred in connectionwith the prior art.

Such problem is solved by a stand as above specified, comprising:

-   -   a pedestal provided with an engaging projection apt to be        introduced below the body of the packaging line;    -   blocking means for arranging the pedestal in a fixed position        with respect to the packaging line;    -   a saddle, positioned at the top of the pedestal, arranged to be        translated, with respect to the pedestal, across the packaging        line;    -   a pivoting table, mounted on said saddle, on which a support        base for the feeder device is formed; and    -   means for positioning said support base with respect to said        packaging line.

It is understood that the present invention is also referred to a feederdevice comprising a stand according the above given main definition andaccording to the auxiliary definitions.

The main advantage of the stand and of the related feeder deviceaccording to the present invention lied in allowing a precisepositioning of the device with respect to the line, adaptable accordingto the insert to be fed.

The present invention is hereinafter described according to a preferredembodiment thereof, provided to an exemplificative and non limitativepurpose, with reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a feeder device, close to apackaging line, incorporating the stand according to a preferredembodiment of the invention:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned side view of a detail of the lowerportion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned front view of the detail of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the stand of FIG.1, shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of the stand of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the stand of FIG. 1.

Purely to a preliminary purpose, with reference to the drawings, asection of packaging line is generally indicated as 1. It has alongitudinal conveyor plane 2, formed on the top of a packaging linebody 5, with a plurality of pushing members 3 travelling to push singleproducts to be packaged. They are moved by a motor and by a relatedkinematic chain underlying the conveyor plane 2.

At the sides of the line body 5 a casing 4 is provided including aplurality of access bays apt to house kinematic transmissions, motorsand auxiliary devices.

A gap 6 is located bellow the body 5 which is supported by suitablelevelling feet, to set said conveyor plane horizontally.

At said gap 6, the line comprises pairs of positioning rails 7, shapedso as to receive a feeder device stand which will be describedhereinafter, positioned at predetermined areas of the line 1 where thefeeder device may be optionally provided.

Said line 1, at said rails 7, has also anchoring members 8 provided inproximity of said conveyor plane 2, for blocking said stand with respectto the line 1.

Always with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a standaccording to the invention is globally indicated as 10.

It comprises a vertically upright pedestal 11, mounted on wheels 9 andprovided with an engaging projection 12 apt to be introduced below thebody 5 of the packaging line 1, which is slab shaped, having a widthcorresponding to that of the pedestal 11 and such a length tosubstantially cover the whole width of the line body 5.

Said projection 12 has, at a distal end thereof and at each sidethereof, first positioning rolls 13, placed so as to slip below saidrails 7. At the proximal end thereof, i.e. at the pedestal 11, theprojection 12 comprises second rolls 14, placed so as to slip on saidrails 7, thereby to frame the pedestal 11 in its position with respectto the line 1.

The pedestal 11 can be adjusted in height and, to this purpose, it hasmeans for vertically translating the top of the pedestal 11. Such means,in the present embodiment, comprises a jack cylinder 15 which may belinked to a suitable control unit. according to any needing.

In this connection, the pedestal is divided in a fixed lower portion 16and in a mobile upper portion 17, said means for translating acting onthis latter portion 17.

It comprises means for positioning at a predetermined level, e.g. a bar18 apt to be fitted into notches formed into the lower portion 16.

Alternatively, said means for translating my be composed by a hydraulicjack, by a motor-driven or hand wheel-driven mechanic system, preferablywith a screw shaft engaged in a female screw formed in said upperportion, having such a friction coefficient to prevent the reversal ofthe shaft rotation caused by the top weight.

Such means for translating serves to vertically arrange the feederdevice with respect to the conveyor plane, to compensate irregularitiesof the floor or remarkable thicknesses of the insert to be fed to theline 1.

On said upper portion 17, the stand has lateral opposing anchoringdevices 20, corresponding to said anchoring members 8. They comprise ahook 21 rotatably connected to a bar 22 sliding in a slit 23 into saidupper portion 17. The angular position of the hook 21 can be immobilizedby virtue of a side hand wheel 24. The translating bar 22 can be movedagainst to a resilient member 25, i.e. a helicoidal spring, and it isdriven by a screw spindle 26 which can be rotated by a back hand wheel27.

In this way, the pedestal 11 can be approached to the line 11,introducing the positioning rolls 13, 14 on the rails 7. The hooks 21are put forward with respect to the spring 25 and rotated so as to beanchored to the anchoring members 8 on the line 1. Then, they are drawnback until the pedestal 11 is integrally blocked to the line body 5.

It is understood that the rolls 13, 14 and the anchoring device 21embody means for blocking the stand 10, to arrange the pedestal 11 in apredetermined position with respect to the packaging line 1.

However, it is understood that such means for blocking can involve manyvariants. After the complete blocking, the upper portion 17, i.e. thefeeder device, can be vertically adjusted with respect to the conveyorplane.

On the top of said pedestal 11, the stand 10 comprises a saddle 30 whichcan be translated, with respect to the pedestal 11, across the packagingline 1, in particular perpendicularly to the line itself. It has meansfor the horizontal translation of the saddle 30, provided between thesaddle 30 and the upper portion 17.

In this connection, the saddle 30 is provided at the base thereof with ahorizontal rack 31, longitudinally arranged with respect to the saddle30, on which is operated a toothed wheel 32 rotatably mounted on theupper portion 17 of the pedestal 11, driven by a adjustment hand wheel33. It is understood that brakes will be provided to stop the saddle 30in the required position. This brake may be applied to the spindle 34driving the toothed wheel 32.

Further, such means for the horizontal translation can involve manyvariants, e.g. by including a screw spindle or a mobile ratchet gearingwith a toothed bar.

On said saddle 30, the stand 10 comprises a pivoting table 40, rotatablymounted on a bearing 42 placed between the saddle 30 and the table 40.It is understood that brakes will be provided to stop the pivoting table40 in a required position. The bearing 42 has a vertical rotation axis.

On the table 40 a support base 41 is formed for a feeder device 50,which can be pivoted at will and blocked in any translated and pivotedposition with respect to the line 1.

Therefore, the stand 10 comprises means for positioning said supportbase 41 with respect to the packaging line 1, which in the presentembodiment comprises said means for the horizontal translation of thesaddle 30 and the bearing, with their respective brakes.

In the present embodiment, said means for positioning also comprisesmeans for vertically translate the top of the pedestal 11, and thepreviously described means for the positioning of such a top at apredetermined level.

On said support base 41, the feeder device 50 is arranged, of the kindapt to feed single products, as parcels, magazines, newspapers and thelike, on the packaging line 1.

In this embodiment, the feeder device 50 comprises a support table 51 onwhich a stack a products to be fed is arranged, so as to hover theconveyor plane 2.

Said products are one-by-one drawn off from the base of the stack,pivoted and the placed on an inlet roller table 52 which can beprogrammed to pivot products or inserts with respect to the packagingline 1.

Such device 50 will be operated by an independent motor 53,electronically controlled and synchronized with the whole packaging line1.

However, it is understood that the stand can be used in same way withdifferent feeders.

To the above stand and related feeder device a man skilled in the art,to meet further and contingent needs, can introduce several additionalvariants and modification, any way all falling within the protectionscope provided for the present invention, as defined by the annexedclaims.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. Feeder device stand (10), in particular for apackaging line (1) incorporating it, of the kind suitable for keepingthe feeder device (50) in the requested position with respect to thepackaging line (1), comprising: a pedestal (11) provided with anengaging projection (12) apt to be introduced below the body (5) of thepackaging line (1); blocking means (13, 14, 20) for arranging thepedestal (11) in a fixed position with respect to the packaging line(1); a saddle (30), positioned at the top of the pedestal (11), arrangedto be translated, with respect to the pedestal (11), across thepackaging line (1); a pivoting table (40), mounted on said saddle (30),on which a support base (41) for the feeder device (50) is formed; andmeans for positioning said support base (41) with respect to saidpackaging line (1).
 11. Stand (10) according to claim 10, wherein saidengaging projection (12) is slab shaped, having a width corresponding tothat of the pedestal (11) and such a length to substantially cover thewhole width of the line body (5).
 12. Stand (10) according to claim 11,wherein said projection (12) has, at a distal end thereof and at eachside thereof, first positioning rolls (13), placed so as to slip onrails (7) in said packaging line (1) and, at the proximal end thereof,second rolls (14), placed so as to slip on said rails (7), therebyframing the pedestal (11) in its position with respect to the packagingline (1).
 13. Stand (10) according to claim 10, wherein the pedestal(11) is vertically adjustable.
 14. Stand (10) according to claim 10,wherein the blocking means (13, 14, 20) for arranging the pedestal (11)in a fixed position with respect to the packaging line (1) compriseslateral opposing anchoring devices (20), corresponding to anchoringmembers (8) in the body (5) of the packaging line (1).
 15. Stand (10)according to claim 14, wherein the anchoring device (20) comprises ahook (21) rotatably connected to a bar (22) sliding in a slit (23) ofthe pedestal (11).
 16. Stand (1) according to claim 10, wherein themeans for positioning said support base (41) with respect to saidpackaging line (1). comprises: means for the horizontal translation ofthe saddle (30); pivoting means for allowing the pivoting of thepivoting table (40) with respect to the saddle (3); and respectivebrakes.
 17. Stand (10) according to claim 16, wherein the means for thehorizontal translation comprises a horizontal rack (31), longitudinallyarranged with respect to the saddle (30), and a corresponding toothedwheel (32) driven by a adjustment hand wheel (33).
 18. Stand (10)according to claim 16, wherein said pivoting means comprises a bearing(42) having a vertical rotation axis, between the saddle (30) and thepivoting table (40).
 19. Stand (1) according to claim 11, wherein themeans for positioning said support base (41) with respect to saidpackaging line (1). comprises: means for the horizontal translation ofthe saddle (30); pivoting means for allowing the pivoting of thepivoting table (40) with respect to the saddle (3); and respectivebrakes.
 20. Stand (1) according to claim 12, wherein the means forpositioning said support base (41) with respect to said packaging line(1). comprises: means for the horizontal translation of the saddle (30);pivoting means for allowing the pivoting of the pivoting table (40) withrespect to the saddle (3); and respective brakes.
 21. Stand (1)according to claim 13, wherein the means for positioning said supportbase (41) with respect to said packaging line (1). comprises: means forthe horizontal translation of the saddle (30); pivoting means forallowing the pivoting of the pivoting table (40) with respect to thesaddle (3); and respective brakes.
 22. Stand (1) according to claim 14,wherein the means for positioning said support base (41) with respect tosaid packaging line (1). comprises: means for the horizontal translationof the saddle (30); pivoting means for allowing the pivoting of thepivoting table (40) with respect to the saddle (3); and respectivebrakes.
 23. Stand (1) according to claim 15, wherein the means forpositioning said support base (41) with respect to said packaging line(1). comprises: means for the horizontal translation of the saddle (30);pivoting means for allowing the pivoting of the pivoting table (40) withrespect to the saddle (3); and respective brakes.